Chisato ShizumeThe outbreak of COVID-19 had numerous effects on our daily life, workstyle and well-being. During quarantine, many businesses in Japan implemented a work-from-home policy. It brought about change in lifestyles since commuting time has become free time.
Many stayed at home, spending time playing video games and joining zoom parties. In fact, Nintendo expects record net profit for the fiscal year 2020 as the Nintendo Switch game ‘Animal Crossing’ became a smash hit among those quarantined at home.
The effects of long-term quarantine
And now, more than six months after the unexpected and significant change, people are facing a different problem: lack of exercise and stress. Lack of exercise affects the physical health of people of all ages, and it can also create or worsen mental stress. Japan Sports Agency, a government agency, thus called for people to exercise or play sports to prevent secondary damage from the coronavirus.
In addition, according to a survey by a seed company in Japan, many have begun growing vegetables at home or at a rental farm during the pandemic. Sales for vegetable plants and seeds have increased, and farming is becoming a new hobby because of the increase in free time from work-from-home. Growing vegetables doesn’t only benefit people’s health because fresh produce is nutritious. Research also shows farming has a positive effect on well-being because it involves physical activity.
Promoting farm-to-table to the masses
However, like any other cultivation, growing vegetables is not easy for beginners. According to data by PLANTIO, a company based in Tokyo, approximately 60% of people who start farming fall by the wayside because farming is troublesome, time-consuming and sometimes unpropitious. Moreover, many lack the knowledge and access to relevant information. Therefore, to save people from giving up, PLANTIO provides a farming platform called ‘grow’ to help people gather useful information and communicate with others to tackle problems during farming.
PLANTIO aims to promote ‘farm-to-table,’ a social movement that started in the US more than 50 years ago, to realize sustainable lifestyle and farming in Japan. Although farm-to-table is originally about restaurants getting produce from local farmers, spreading its philosophy will encourage consumers to do the same.
Buying produce from local farmers benefits both the environment and consumers too. Very often, fresh produce sold at stores is shipped long distances, which hurts the environment. On the other hand, local produce is sold shortly after harvest. At the peak freshness, the crop is flavorful and nutritious. Furthermore, it is sold locally, so farm-to-table has a less negative effect on the environment.
A step towards sustainable farming and responsible consumption
Farming platform ‘grow’ aims to encourage people to grow their own produce, and to promote sustainable farming and consumption. PLANTIO says growing vegetables will become a new entertainment for people in the new era. Their platform ‘grow’ will provide online diagnostics that will recommend the right tools and seeds to match the season and the user’s environment. ‘Grow’ will also sell seeds and tools online, such as soil, LED lights and planters. Their ‘grow GO’ app will also advise users on when and procedures and provide recipes, and even consult experts on farming through the app. When it’s time for harvest, ‘grow’ plans to provide online workshops delivering interesting facts and trivia about their produce.
With new technology, farming is becoming accessible to anyone who has an interest. And growing food to consume at home is an ethical and sustainable production that needs no professional knowledge or expensive facility, especially since one can get advice from experts at appropriate timings. The pandemic brought inconvenience to our everyday life, but it has also allowed us to turn our attention to a new and sustainable way of living.
